Barlborough Hall is a Grade I listed[1] 16th-century country house in Barlborough, Chesterfield, Derbyshire. It was built in around 1583-84 for Sir Francis Rodes and is attributed to Robert Smythson.

History of the house

1818 picture of Barlborough Hall

The house was built by Sir Francis Rodes in around 1583-84, evidenced by the date 1583 on the porch and 1584 on the Great Chamber chimneypiece and is probably by Robert Smythson,[1] designer of several of the most famous Elizabethan houses, who worked with Sir Francis's patron,[1] the wealthy Earl of Shrewsbury.[2]

It was the seat of the Rodes baronets until their extinction in 1743 on the death of the fourth baronet, Sir John Rodes. Sir John made alterations to the house in 1696 and 1713.[3] It then passed to the Hatfield and then Heathcote families, members of which took the Rodes surname and altered the house further in the 19th century.[3] It remained in the family until 1935, when it was sold, and it was sold again to the Jesuits of Mount St Mary's College in 1938.[3]

A gazebo nearby was built in the 17th Century and is Grade II* listed,[4] whilst the gatepiers[5] and former stables[6] are Grade II listed. The house sits in parkland which is Grade II listed on the National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.[7]

Barlborough Hall School

Barlborough Hall School was founded as an independent Catholic day school around 1939 by the Jesuits who had purchased the house in 1938. The school is now the Preparatory school for Mount St Mary's College at Spinkhill, 2.2 miles down the road. The present head teacher is Mrs Karen Keeton.

See also

Exterior

  • Surrounding buildings
    Surrounding buildings
  • School grounds
    School grounds

References

  1. ^ a b c Historic England. "Barlborough Hall (1108972)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Great british architects: Robert Smythson". Country Life. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Barlborough Hall". Barlborough Heritage Centre. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  4. ^ Historic England. "Gazebo at Barlborough Hall (1367143)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  5. ^ Historic England. "Gate piers to east of Barlborough Hall (1054694)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  6. ^ Historic England. "Stable block at Barlborough Hall (1335417)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  7. ^ Historic England. "Barlborough Hall (1001365)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 September 2023.

Further reading

  • Peter McArdle, The Story of Barlborough Hall: With a Short Account of Its Parent College Mount St Mary's College, Spinkhill, 1979.

External links